In the nearly 30 years that Donna DiSante has lived in Grosse Pointe Farms, she’s been no stranger to being the center of attention. “It’s just a part of who I am,” remarks Ms. DiSante, “I started in high school doing plays and make-up. I guess I never grew tired of playing dress up and putting on a show.” Even being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease that affects the joints, hasn’t slowed her down. This summer alone, Ms. DiSante will be teaching children’s theatre classes through a joint program with Grosse Pointe Theatre and the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. She’ll also be directing a children’s production. Additionally, this summer Donna will be directing “Godspell” for the evening productions at Grosse Pointe Theatre. Just to ensure that she would have enough to do, Donna recently did the make-up for the Grosse Pointe High School’s production of “Pippin”.
For her latest role, however, you won’t find her at the Grosse Pointe Theatre and it won’t be on a traditional stage. On May 8, Donna will take on the role of host and master of ceremonies for the American Autoimmune Diseases Association (AARDA)’s 10th Annual Victorian Tea Luncheon and Silent Auction at the historic Dearborn Inn. For nearly a decade, Ms. DiSante has volunteered with AARDA and, has supported the organization in many roles including committee member as well as research and legislative advocate. In March, she was featured in a film at the first ever National Autoimmune Diseases Summit in Washington D.C., advocating for the importance of increased research and investigation into autoimmune diseases. For her latest role at this signature event for AARDA, Donna will use her skill in acting and make-up as she performs her duties in full Victorian dress. She says that she will be particular character from famous Victorian lore. However, when we asked her who that character would be, she replied, “I’m not saying. My role will be a surprise!”
So why, on top of her countless responsibilities in the community and theatre worlds, would this inspiring Grosse Pointe woman donate more of her time to AARDA? “I support AARDA because they are searching, through their network of scientific and medical researchers, to find the common thread among the hundreds of autoimmune diseases that may hold the key to curing them. Also, I do it because it fun! I hope to do my very best in my hosting duties to support AARDA’s work in whatever way I am able.”
AARDA’s 10th Annual Victorian Tea Luncheon and Silent Auction will take place on the Saturday, May 8, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., the day before Mother’s Day, at The Dearborn Inn, A Marriot Hotel, 20301 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI. Tickets are still available. To get your tickets, contact AARDA by phone at 586-776-3900 or via email at aarda@aarda.org.
For more information about AARDA and/ or autoimmune diseases, visit AARDA’s Website at www.aarda.org.
About the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)
The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association is dedicated to the eradication of autoimmune diseases and the alleviation of suffering and the socioeconomic impact of autoimmunity through fostering and facilitating collaboration in the areas of education, public awareness, research, and patient services in an effective, ethical and efficient manner.
AARDA is the only national nonprofit health agency dedicated to bringing a national focus to autoimmunity, the major cause of serious chronic diseases. Approximately 50 million Americans, 20 percent of the population or one in five people, suffer from autoimmune diseases. Women are more likely than men to be affected; some estimates say that 75 percent of those affected--some 37.5 million people--are women. Still, with these statistics, autoimmunity is rarely discussed as a women's health issue.
For more information on autoimmunity and/or AARDA, contact AARDA by phone at (586) 776-3900 or on the Web at www.aarda.org.
About Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmunity is a result of a misdirected immune system that causes one's own immune system to attack the self. There are over 100 known autoimmune diseases; and unlike the many forms of cancer which are recognized as being part of the general term "cancer," autoimmune diseases are recognized singularly rather than in the overall category of autoimmunity. The public in general is unaware of the autoimmune nature of these diseases. When most people hear one of these diseases referred to as an autoimmune disease, they incorrectly confuse the term autoimmune with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); or they think it is a form of cancer.
This lack of knowledge and collaborative effort results in untold suffering for persons with autoimmune diseases due to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis which may result in damage to vital organs. The need to bring a national focus to autoimmunity as the common factor in all autoimmune diseases is vital in order to bring a collaborative effort to research, funding, early detection, and eventually, prevention and cure for all autoimmune diseases.
Some of the over 100 autoimmune diseases are lupus, type 1 diabetes, scleroderma, celiac, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, autoimmune hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, myasthenia gravis, myositis, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), Sjogren's syndrome, uveitis, polymyositis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and demyelinating neuropathies.
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